Careers
What makes a good conservation photograph?
By Davide Gaglio, amateur photographer and student at the Percy FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology Describing what photography is for me is already a very difficult task. When we narrow the topic to ‘conservation photography’ it becomes even more challenging. Is not easy to judge when a photograph including wildlife or a natural resource is … Continue reading
What is an alternative to impact factors?
Rebecca Nesbit MRSB has put together videos of advice from Nobel Laureates speaking at Nobel Prize Inspiration Initiative events. Impact factors are flawed – we all know that, we all agree. But where do we go from here? They are a simple way to judge a researcher, and this is very welcome if you are comparing lots of applicants for … Continue reading
Explaining complicated ideas is not always easy
By Dr Emily Grossman, molecular biologist, broadcaster and educator, who trains contestants for the FameLab International science communication competition. Dr Grossman is running a Science Communication Workshop at the Royal Society of Biology on Monday 18th April. When trying to explain complex information to an audience, the first task is to get the content right. But how we communicate is also … Continue reading
Choosing between ‘life’ or research – survey data shows the outlook is good for returners
By Dr Indrayani Ghangrekar, fellowship advisor at the Daphne Jackson Trust Currently, academic researchers in science, technology, engineering, and maths (the STEM subjects) face a life of fierce competition for grants from a limited budget resulting in anxiety about career progression. This happens despite the recognition that investing in STEM research is beneficial for the … Continue reading
Returners to Bioscience – a neglected pool of talented workers
by Gabriele Butkute, science policy assistant at the Royal Society of Biology There is a pool of talented workers that is not being fully accessed or acknowledged in our workforce – those who for one reason or another have been out of employment for some time but now wish to work again – the returners. … Continue reading
So you want to be a life scientist?
By Amelia Perry, Biology Week Intern at the Royal Society of Biology An impressive elephant skeleton took centre stage in the middle of the Life Science Careers Conference, surrounded by exhibitors representing careers in all avenues of biology, from teaching, to research, to conservation to science communication and more. The atmosphere at the Royal Veterinary College was that … Continue reading
Statistics and Biology – a match made in heaven?
Dr Jennifer Rogers, research fellow at The University of Oxford, discusses the interplay between statistics and biological research for World Statistics Day. “The best thing about being a statistician is that you get to play in everyone’s backyard” is the now infamous quote from John Tukey and it is one that I whole heartedly get … Continue reading
Three Steps to CV Success
By The Careers Group. The Royal Society of Biology is running a CV and Interview Skills Workshop in partnership with The Careers Group, University of London, on 3rd December 2015. Most people find it a challenge to write a good CV. The temptation to just update an existing version is strong, so your 2015 CV is … Continue reading
Science technicians: an invisible workforce?
By Ian Selmes RSci MRSB I have been a technician for 44 years. Thirty seven of these have been spent working in microbiology laboratories in four departments in three universities: London, Oxford, and now Newcastle. Science is a dynamic process. Technicians need to update their skills if they are not to erode and eventually become … Continue reading
Science communication: a selfless task?
By Dr Kate McAllister, winner of the Society of Biology Science Communication Award 2014. A lot has happened in the year since I emailed off my entry for the 2014 Science Communication Award. Since then, I have handed in a thesis, started a job in the industry, left industry and run back to the familiar … Continue reading